Tony* came from a traveller background. He had two failed marriages, a daughter he had not seen for thirty years and a difficult relationship with his parents. 

Tony had worked as a lorry a driver and spent 25 years driving across the UK and Europe. He had no fixed abode and had slept in his lorry while he was working. Tragically, in 2011 Tony suffered a severe head injury when he was assaulted while sleeping rough. Then in 2015 he suffered another head injury at work. In 2016 Tony began to experience problems with his heart and was diagnosed with Angina and in September 2020 he had to give up his job as a delivery driver because of ongoing heart problems and leg pains which had begun to affect his mobility.

Tony was living in a van when we first met with him. Referred to P3 by the local authority housing team, we contacted him straight away and after a brief chat he provided us with his location and we agreed to meet. 

Tony was a very gentle man, softly spoken and very wary. The van where we met was filled with his possessions leaving only space for a narrow gangway where he slept. Tony did not have access to running water, heating or washing facilities—he did have a camping stove in his van, but he had long since run out of gas—and his only food was a plastic container of foraged nuts and berries. He had no income, no fuel for his van and had not properly washed or been able to change his clothes for five months.

As we talked Tony discussed his love of wood carving and it became apparent, he was very knowledgeable about wildlife and nature; however we were deeply concerned as he also displayed a number of characteristics associated with learning disabilities and mental ill-health which only emphasised the vulnerability of his current circumstances. 

Together, we discussed his needs and Tony agreed to accept our support to access housing, benefits and undertake a medical review with his GP. We also ensured Tony had everything he needed to maintain his personal wellbeing and dignity before leaving, providing him with a personal care pack containing water, face masks and hand sanitizer.

Initially Tony was resistant to change. He struggled to handle the transition into accommodation and the first time he left after only one night. He did feel better for the home comforts and the food, but he felt unable to settle and so he returned to sleeping in his van.

Undeterred we continued to take the time needed to deepen Tony’s trust and ensure he received the support he needed. In time, he began to open up, accept the service’s support and move forwards. He found the confidence to visit his GP who provided a statement of fitness for work and agreed to carry out cardiology and psychiatric assessments, and he submitted his claims for Universal Credit and ESA. Within a matter of days his circumstances began to change and he received an initial advance payment. 

Next, we worked with the local authority housing team to find the right supported placement for Tony where his needs would be understood, and we succeeded!

Tony was able to park his van next to his new home and he spent his days inside his van working on his wood carvings and his nights inside his room. Tony felt supported and safe. He was able to live independently, buy food to cook, wash, do his laundry and get a good night’s sleep. Within a very short space of time Tony looked visibly better and his mobility was much easier. 

Today Tony is settled, he is accessing ongoing support from our Cambridgeshire Floating Support Service for moving on from his supported accommodation, help with benefits, budgeting and tenancy setup and sustainment. Tony is taking the next steps to get his life back on tarck.